Is it possible to move through life with a sense of ease in this stressful world we inhabit? Can we embrace a way of being that is not forced and free from excessive striving, that is true to nature? There is a natural rhythm in nature that is in tune with the rhythm of ourContinue reading “easy”
Tag Archives: tao
The Way of Everyday Life
The effortless nature of being requires effort on our part. It’s been a while since I’ve written to you. I have spent a couple of months away from group practice. It has been a time of reflection and rediscovery. Delving deeply into the roots of Zen practice there was something I knew before, something I’veContinue reading “The Way of Everyday Life”
Earth Body Propelling at the Edge of the World
Notes on circumventing Torres del Paine in Chilean Patagonia, “The O-Trek.” by Madison Sokukai McClintock Late Autumn, end of the season. Distance: ~75 miles / 119 km. Total Elevation Gain: ~16,309ft / 4,971 meters 8 days walking, weighted by basic survival supplies, 24+ meals worth of food, the non-negotiables – camera, watercolors, binoculars. Feeling theContinue reading “Earth Body Propelling at the Edge of the World”
MudSeason
The Spring Equinox! A glorious time of rebirth of Mother Earth, trees blossoming, tiny buds opening into verdant green, tulips, brilliant blossoms! Bunnies and baby animals! A time of hope, joy, reawakening and… MUD. In Northern New England, from whence Zenho and I originate, MudSeason is perhaps the most bitched about season of the year.Continue reading “MudSeason”
Ceaseless
“Nothing is there to guard and nothing to demonstrate or practice. Whatever flies off the spindle is perfectly fashioned and equal to the task in the event. Technique is for the birds. The organism is a genius and when left alone in the natural state of being it is perfection itself.” Keith Dowman How weContinue reading “Ceaseless”
Elixir
Wu-Men Kuan, Case 24: It All Outside Words A monk asked Wind-Source Mountain: “Word or silence- either way you cross over into its all broken between Presence and Absence, the differentiated and the undifferentiated. How do I avoid that transgression altogether? Master Wind-Source replied: I always remember, south of the river, that third month: mountain-partridgeContinue reading “Elixir”
7 Gems
the moon in the pines looks cold cloud after cloud drifts up ridge upon ridge unfolds the view is for ten-thousand miles and the pool in the gorge is clear like looking through a mirror treasures of a magic terrace the seven gems can’t match you ~ Pickup “From Temple Walls, The Collected Poems ofContinue reading “7 Gems”
The Still World
“Spring water is pure in an emerald stream moonlight is white on Cold Mountain silence thoughts and the spirit becomes clear focus on emptiness and world grows still.” -Han-shan Throughout history monks and enlightened persons have left behind the distractions of the world and retreated to the mountains and rivers of the wild places. There theyContinue reading “The Still World”
No Gate Zen Center 